A warning has been issued after a surge in courier fraud across Lancashire.

The police force said it has seen an interest in this type of fraud, where people pretend to be from the bank or police and ask for personal details, across the county.

Officers have offered some advice to prevent people falling victim to the scam.

READ MORE: Warning issued after Blackburn woman receives fraud call

What is courier fraud?

According to Action Fraud, national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone purporting to be a police officer or bank official.

A spokesperson for Action Fraud said: “To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address.

“The caller may also offer a telephone number for the victim to telephone or ask the victim to call the number on the back of their bank card to check that they are genuine. In these circumstances, either the number offered will not be genuine or, where a genuine number is suggested, the fraudster will stay on the line and pass the victim to a different individual.”

  • After some trust has been established, the fraudster will then, for example, suggest
  • Some money has been removed from a victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible.
  • Suspects have already been arrested but the “police” need money for evidence.

How to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of courier fraud 

  • ·  Please consider who is on the other end of the line, don't assume a phone call is authentic just because someone knows your name or address.
  • ·  Your bank or the Police will never call you asking for personal details such as pin numbers or offer to pick up cards or items from your address.
  • ·  Consider registering with a telephone preference service to stop unsolicited calls/marketing calls making their way through. 
  • ·  If you are in the slightest doubt during a phone call, hang up. Either use a different phone or wait 20 minutes before calling your bank, Action Fraud or the Police. This is because fraudsters often leave the line open waiting for you to use the phone so the safest method is using a different device.
  • ·  If you feel worried or concerned about a call, alert someone you trust and tell them.

Anyone who is concerned about fraud has been asked to report this into Action Fraud online, or via the phone 03001232040 or contact your local Police Force through 101.